Police warn of viral “ding dong ditch” challenge destroying Columbus-area doors

Four security camera images show two people on a porch at night, both with cloths obscuring their faces. They move near a bench and plants, appearing to approach and then leave the porch.

HILLIARD, Ohio — A social media trend is causing damage in a Columbus suburb, and police want parents to step in before it gets worse.

Hilliard Police say it’s part of the so-called “door kick challenge,” where participants kick a home’s front door as hard as possible before running away. Police said it “kicked up again last week” in the Hilliard area.

Detectives say they’ve received multiple reports of masked individuals, believed to be teens, running up to homes, banging on doors and taking off.

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To show what’s happening, police released a series of doorbell camera images capturing suspects approaching homes, covering their faces and sprinting away after striking doors.

This isn’t the “ding, dong, ditch” from your childhood. In several cases, neighbors reported broken glass front doors and dented garage doors.

Police say the trend can cause significant property damage, create fear for homeowners and even lead to dangerous situations if someone thinks an intruder is trying to break in.

Now, officers are asking parents to step in. Talk to your kids, police say, because those taking part could end up facing criminal charges.

Police are also urging residents to stay alert and report suspicious activity.

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